Live: Ex-army chief VK Singh, Ramdev booked for inciting mob

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today justified public outrage against gangrape of a girl in Delhi and favoured speedy trial in the case in Fast Track Court.

"The anger is natural," he told reporters emerging from a function here.

Kumar, who is senior JD(U) leader, said he was seeing "positives" in public protest as it would help create an environment against such heinous acts in the society.

Such wave of protests would help check social ills in the society, he said and condemned the gangrape of the 23 year-old girl in a moving bus.

6. 20 pm

VK Singh, Ramdev booked for inciting mob and provoking crowd

Former Army chief VK Singh and yoga icon Baba Ramdev have been booked by the Delhi Police for inciting mob and provoking crowd at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday.

Three cases of rioting have been registered by the police. Protesters led by Baba Ramdev and General Singh had clashed with the police at Jantar Mantar on Sunday afternoon when they were prevented from marching towards India Gate.

6. 00 pm

Closure of key roads, metro stations creates chaos in Delhi

The closure of key roads and nine Delhi Metro stations in the city following protests in parts of the Capital choked the city's commuters on Monday.

The 2.5 km stretch between India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan was barricaded for traffic. The India Gate lawns were sealed off to prevent a repeat of Sunday's clashes between security forces and demonstrators.

The closure of nine major Metro stations caused immense confusion.

Thousands of central government employees had to walk long distances as Metro stations close to their offices near Sunday's protest site remained shut for a second straight day.

Delhi Traffic Police said all eight arterial roads that lead to India Gate would be closed for traffic.

The closure of roads led to diversion of traffic, causing massive snarls on major roads leading to the city centre and beyond. 5. 30 pm

'Don't blame Bollywood for rapes'

Do explicit movie scenes and double-meaning songs and dialogues incite sexual violence? Many think so. But most directors in the Hindi film industry don't agree.

Director of "The Dirty Picture" Milan Luthria feels that it is not correct to blame films for such rape and related crimes.

"I think it is unfair to make such an allegation about movies and songs. I take great offence. We need to look at our society and culture and how we live. Let's focus on real issues," Luthria told IANS.

Giving a woman's perspective, "Shirin Farhad ki Toh Nikal Padi" director Bela Sehgal feels it is important to inculcate a feeling of respect for women in boys from a young age.

"How can you rape a woman when it is a woman who gives birth to you," she said.

Even though Sehgal feels that movies are a reflection of the society, they can't be blamed for brutal sexual crime.

4.40 pm:

Lieutenant Governor Tejinder Khanna spoke on the measures being taken to increase safety of women in Delhi.

Sudhir Yadav: Special commissioner can be approached 24/7 on women's rights. Number: 9818099012

Two DCP officers asked to give explanation

Police on duty failed to stop bus with dark tinted glass

I will review the security of the city every three months

Public transport drivers to wear badges and photo identity cards

Police Commissioner has regretted action in India Gate yesterday

4.20 pm:

India, Russia sign weapons deals worth billions of dollars

Russia and India signed new weapons deals worth billions of dollars on Monday as President Vladimir Putin sought to further boost ties with an old ally.

Putin and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hailed cooperation between their countries as officials signed a $1.6 billion deal for India to purchase 42 Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets and a $1.3 billion contract for the delivery of 71 Mil Mi-17 military helicopters.

Singh said the talks included discussions on the security situation in the region, including Afghanistan.

The BJP has accused the government of inaction in the Delhi gangrape case. The opposition party said that the issue was raised in the parliament but the government did nothing.

The party is also firmly pushing for an all party meeting on the issue. Representatives from the party will meet the President tomorrow seeking a special session in the parliament.

2.30 pm:

Delhi gangrape: Cops block roads to deter protesters

Authorities shut down roads in the heart of India's capital on Monday to put an end to demonstrations against the brutal gang-rape of a woman on a moving bus.

Thousands of armed police and paramilitary troops blocked roads in central New Delhi to prevent protesters from marching to the Rashtrapathi Bhavan. A small group of demonstrators gathered at a venue about a kilometer away from India's parliament to press the government to ensure the security of women in the city.

The city ground to a halt as commuters found themselves caught in massive traffic jams after most roads in central Delhi were barricaded by police.

The Delhi gangrape case will be heard in the court from January 3 according to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Ministry has also said that many fast track courts will be set up to hear rape cases.1.45 pm:

Shinde to meet Chief Justice of Delhi HC

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde will meet Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Justice Darmar Murugesan, here on Monday to discuss the issue of fast tracking the gang-rape case.

Shinde will also be meeting Delhi Lieutenant Governor Tejinder Khanna to discuss the security situation in the national capital.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who had met Home Minister Shinde earlier on Sunday, is also expected to call on the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.Read more

12.50 pm:

The Centre will hold a meeting of chief secretaries and DGPs of all states on January 4 to discuss crimes against women, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has said.

12.10 pm:

Reports suggest that a gangrape has taken place in Jammu where a 25 year old woman has been raped by two men. According to CNN IBN one accused has been arrested and the other is absconding.

11.47 am:

The doctors treating the 23 year old rape survivor have said that she continues to be on ventilator support. She also experienced a few bouts of vomiting last night according to the latest medical bulletin.

11.25 am:

Today's buzz phrase: PM's 'Theek Hai'

The Prime Minister finally came on TV to address the nation, more than two days after protests against the Delhi gang rape reached a peak. But his speech ("Anger is justified, violence is not") seems to have done more harm than good. At the end of the speech, the Prime Minister was heard muttering 'Theek Hai' to the camera person, leading to even more outrage on the social networks.

Prathipa ‏@talkativewriterManmohan silence was more powerful than his speech! Made himself a comedy piece! Sorry PM, its ur mistake #theekhai

Sagarika Ghose ‏@sagarikaghoseSorry, but PM's speech was without feeling, wooden and totally unequal to the situation. The "theek hai" at the end revealed it as theatre!

11.10 am:

Delhi gangrape: Chaos outside Metro stations

Chaos ruled outside Metro stations in Central Delhi on Monday as hundreds of people reached the stations unaware that they have been closed due to continuing protests at India Gate against the gang-rape of a young girl.

Nine stations, including the busiest Rajiv Chowk, was closed from early morning as people came only to be welcomed by boards that entry or exit to the stations will not be allowed today as per instructions from Delhi Police.

Rajiv Chowk sees the maximum footfall of over 5 lakh a day and shutting down of this station has caused much problems for people who were agitated and looked helpless.

Here are some reactions from Twitter on Home Minister Shinde's comments on the action against the anti-rape protesters.

Rajdeep Sardesai ‏@sardesairajdeep

Pm has 3 daughters, so does shinde, so does rpn singh. If you guys aren't gender sensitive, who will be? Action, not words

Sagarika Ghose ‏@sagarikaghose

Shinde to CNNIBN: when Soniaji herself had met protestors, they shd have been happy. Sir, Soniaji is a politician, not our monarch

Neeraj Saxena ‏@neerajsaxena

Does one need more proof of this govt's sensitivity towards people? Shinde Says:Tomorrow 100 Adivasis will be killed. Can the govt go there?

10.13 am:

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has appealed for calm while addressing the nation on the rape situation. He has also assured that the government will ensure the safety and security of women in the country.

'I appeal to all sections of the society to maintain peace and help us in our efforts,' said the PM. 'Anger against the rape is justified and not the violence. We are constantly monitoring the health of the rape survivor,' said the PM

10.05 am:

While the world watches the dark turn at the protests in Delhi, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde still can't understand what the fuss is all about. "Don't separate law and order, I had met protesters in my house. They should have been satisfied," he told a news channel. "Tomorrow 100 Adivasis will be killed by Maoists, can the government go there,” he asked.

9.10 am:

The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been shifted to the PM's residence.

The meeting was originally scheduled to take place at the Hyderabad House which is located near the India Gate.

The ongoing protests against the rape of the 23 year old medical student has forced this decision.

The Prime Minister is also likely to address the nation at noon today.

8.25 am:

Delhi police starts to clear media Outdoor Broadcasting vans from India Gate. Prohibitory orders have been put in place at India Gate.

The government has now decided to constitute a panel of eminent jurists who will look into possible amendments to rape laws.

8.10 am:

Nine Metro stations closed near Raisina Hill, India Gate

Anticipating more protests on the gang-rape of a young girl, nine Delhi Metro stations near Raisina Hill and India Gate will be closed for public on Monday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in New Delhi early on Monday for an over 15-hour visit for the annual India-Russia bilateral summit that will see both sides ink multi-billion dollar defence pacts.

Putin, who touches down past midnight, will hold delegation level talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at 11.30 a.m. at Hyderabad House, after which the two sides will ink the agreements.

The Russian president is to call on President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the afternoon. Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj are to call on Putin at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Putin will leave for home at 4.30 p.m.

Putin, who entered the Kremlin as president in May, last visited India as prime minister in 2010.